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It might not be CNN or Fox News, but West Frankfort Mayor Marion Presley is acquiring a modicum of exposure lately as an on-the-air personality. “It's no big deal,” the mayor said of his TV appearance. “But the subject matter is extremely important and I was glad to have a chance to help.”
That “subject matter” is frivolous lawsuits that can cost the general public money at many levels, but is especially devastating to small community governments.
“The reason I agreed to be a part of this project was because of the impact lawsuits have on the city's bottom line,” the chief executive said. “Our insurance costs have increased ten percent in the last year and insurance costs are about seventeen percent of our budget. Obviously, one of the reasons our insurance costs go up is because of lawsuits. It hits us on all sides because the cost of litigation is ever-growing and that ultimately costs the taxpayers dearly.”
Presley stated the obvious fact that money spent on such legal ventures could be better used toward improvements and services to the city. “With the economy suffering mightily we look to every way to cut costs and this could be one we contain.”
“Starting this week, video stories profiling mayors Marion Presley of West Frankfort and Vic Ritter of Herrin will be featured on the Internet as part of a national education campaign to raise awareness about the cost and consequences of lawsuit abuse,” Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch (I-LAW) Executive Director Travis Akin told the Daily American today.
For more on the municipal impact of lawsuits, pick up a print copy of the Wednesday edition of the Daily American.
It might not be CNN or Fox News, but West Frankfort Mayor Marion Presley is acquiring a modicum of exposure lately as an on-the-air personality. “It's no big deal,” the mayor said of his TV appearance. “But the subject matter is extremely important and I was glad to have a chance to help.”
That “subject matter” is frivolous lawsuits that can cost the general public money at many levels, but is especially devastating to small community governments.
“The reason I agreed to be a part of this project was because of the impact lawsuits have on the city's bottom line,” the chief executive said. “Our insurance costs have increased ten percent in the last year and insurance costs are about seventeen percent of our budget. Obviously, one of the reasons our insurance costs go up is because of lawsuits. It hits us on all sides because the cost of litigation is ever-growing and that ultimately costs the taxpayers dearly.”
Presley stated the obvious fact that money spent on such legal ventures could be better used toward improvements and services to the city. “With the economy suffering mightily we look to every way to cut costs and this could be one we contain.”
“Starting this week, video stories profiling mayors Marion Presley of West Frankfort and Vic Ritter of Herrin will be featured on the Internet as part of a national education campaign to raise awareness about the cost and consequences of lawsuit abuse,” Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch (I-LAW) Executive Director Travis Akin told the Daily American today.
For more on the municipal impact of lawsuits, pick up a print copy of the Wednesday edition of the Daily American.
